Iraqi FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Risk of Expansion of Regional Conflict Remains High

Hussein revealed that Iran has vowed not to use Iraqi territory to attack Israel.

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Fuad Hussein. (Bashir Saleh)
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Fuad Hussein. (Bashir Saleh)
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Iraqi FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Risk of Expansion of Regional Conflict Remains High

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Fuad Hussein. (Bashir Saleh)
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Fuad Hussein. (Bashir Saleh)

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Fuad Hussein warned on Sunday that the risk of the regional conflict expanding remains high because Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon is ongoing.

The persistence of the situation means other wars could erupt in the region, which could threaten regional and international peace, he told Asharq Al-Awsat from Riyadh ahead of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit on Monday.

“When the war on Gaza started and stretched on, we warned that its continuation will lead to another conflict. Indeed, the war on Gaza led to the war on Lebanon, and now, the continuation of these wars, will lead to others,” he stated.

For its part, Baghdad takes any threat to Iraq seriously, he stressed, noting that the conflict is obviously a clash between Iran and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Iraq’s location puts it within the radius of this conflict and the more attacks and counterattacks between Iran and Israel risk dragging Iraq into the war, said the FM.

The Iraqi government has prioritized protecting the country from any attack and keeping it out of the war, Hussein added. Iraq is in contact with various countries to that end.

Furthermore, he said contacts were ongoing with Iran over the conflict.

“Iran was very clear when it was confronted with claims that it was trying to exploit Iraqi territories to attack Israel. It categorically rejected the allegations and said Iraqi territory was not used for any attack,” Hussein revealed, adding that this message was conveyed by Tehran to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

Iran has vowed that Iraqi territory will not be used to attack Israel, he remarked.

A ministerial meeting was held on Sunday ahead of the extraordinary summit. Hussein said officials expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people.

They condemned the ongoing Israeli war against them, adding that Monday’s summit will address several issues, including continuing support to the Palestinian and Lebanese people and searching for options to end the war.

The FM underscored the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, the recognition of their own independent state and its full membership at the United Nations.

Hussein stressed that the summit is necessary given the dangers the region is experiencing, thanking Saudi Arabia for hosting it.

Iraq, along with several Arab and Islamic countries, has focused on contacting various other countries, especially those with strong ties with Netanyahu to pressure him to agree to a ceasefire.

Iraqi and other efforts have not yielded the desired results, so the summit is very important in addressing the situation and how to handle developments, he went on to say.

Moreover, he added that Baghdad is working tirelessly to prepare for the Arab League summit in May.



Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
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Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)

Baghdad has been preoccupied this week with serious possibilities that Israel may expand its war on Gaza and Lebanon by striking several targets in Iraq in retaliation to attacks by Iran-backed armed factions.

Concern has been high that Israel may attack government buildings, oil fields and strategic locations, not just the positions of the armed factions that have previously launched attacks against Israel, said sources close to the pro-Iran ruling Coordination Framework.

Media sources have spoken of government speculation that Iraq could come under “300 Israeli attacks”.

The fears in Iraq have been compounded by an Israeli complaint to the United Nations Security Council against seven armed factions and holding Baghdad responsible for the attacks they have carried out against it.

This prompted the government, through the foreign ministry, to send an official letter to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation in response to the Israeli threats.

The ministry said on Saturday that Iraq is “the cornerstone of stability in the region and world and it is one of the countries that are most committed to the UN Charter.”

“The Zionist entity’s letter to the Security Council is part of a systematic policy aimed at creating claims and excuses in an attempt to expand the conflict in the region.”

It said Iraq has turned to the Security Council out of Iraq’s keenness on the international body carrying out its duty in maintaining international peace and security and the need to rein in the “Zionist aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Moreover, it stressed that Iraq has been keen on exercising restraint when it comes to the use of its airspace to attack a neighboring country.

Israel has used Iraqi airspace to launch attacks against Iran in October.

Iraq underscored the importance of the international community stepping in to “stop this hostile behavior that is a flagrant violation of international law.”

It called for international efforts to stop the Israeli escalation in the region and ensure that international laws and treaties are respected to consolidate security and stability.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Coordination Framework said the main Shiite parties are taking the Israeli threats “very seriously”, urging Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government to take “all the necessary measures to avert a potential Israeli strike.”

All leaders of armed factions, as well as Shiite leaders, have taken up alternative locations and are moving under great secrecy, confirming that they have changed the majority of their military positions, said the source.

It also dismissed claims that Israeli jets have overflown Iraq, saying nothing has been confirmed, but not ruling out the possibility, especially since US forces have control over Iraqi skies and Iraq is helpless against stopping these violations.

Iraq had submitted a formal complaint to the UN and Security Council over Israel’s use and violation of its airspace to attack Iran.

Analyst and former diplomat Ghazi Faisal said the pro-Iran armed factions have been gathering their forces in the Sinjar province, which is strategic for Iran’s arms deliveries and logistic support to Syria where attacks can be carried out against American forces and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Sinjar is one of the most important strategic bases for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, he added.

Furthermore, he noted that the armed factions insist on continuing the war against Israel, rejecting government calls for calm and neutrality.

The government’s statements are aimed at delivering a message that it “is not directly responsible for the strategy of these factions,” which follow Iran’s policies.

Iraq has repeatedly said that it refuses for its territory to be used to attack another country, but some observers believe that it may allow Iran to do so should Israel strike.